PROGRAM RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete a minimum of 50% of the program hours at Coast Mountain College.

The Health Care Assistant program requires students to achieve 70% (B-) or higher in every theory course and CR (credit) grade in HCAS 107 and practical experience courses to continue in the program and receive their credential. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
HCAS 101	Health Care Assistant: Introduction to Practice	1
HCAS 102	Health: Lifestyles and Choices	1
HCAS 103	Human Relations: Interpersonal Communica Communications	1.5
HCAS 104	Health & Healing: Concepts for Practice	2.5
HCAS 105	Healing 1: Caring for Individuals Experiencing Common Health Challenges	4
HCAS 106	Healing 2: Caring for Individuals Experiencing Cognitive Or Mental Challenges	2
HCAS 107	Healing 3: Personal Care & Assistance	4
HCAS 108	Practice Experience in Home Support And/Or Assisted Living,Practical Experience in Home Support And/Or Assisted Living	2
HCAS 109	Practice Experience in Multi-Level And/Or Complex Care 1	6
HCAS 110	Transition Practice Experience	2
Total Credits		26

Students interested in applying should read the Health Care Assistant Program Student Handbook [PDF]

Prior to applying, please review the Health Care Assistant Program Expectations [PDF].

Important documents

• English Competency Self-Declaration Form
• HCA Intake Package
• Ministry of Public Safety Consent for a CRC
• Information for Immunization 
• HCAS Northern Health Immunization Form

Apply for Admission

Admission requirements

Students are accepted into the program once all Step 1 documentation has been received, on a first come –first serve basis and will be invited to register. Prior to the first day of classes, students are expected to submit all Step 2 documents. Step 2 documentation is required for practice education experiences; students who fail to submit any Step 2 documentation will be prohibited from attending practice education experiences.

Step 1: Required for admission and registration

• Grade 12 graduation, or 19 years of age or older, or dual credit student
• A complete English Competency Self-Declaration Form [PDF].  Applicants with less than seven years of education in an English-speaking environment and/or less than four consecutive years of education in an English-speaking environment at the secondary or post-secondary level will require one of the following standardized English language proficiency tests as set by the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry:

For English as a first language speakers:

• English Studies 11 or
  • Accuplacer Grade 11 level cut score: Reading 236, Writing 234, Writeplacer 4 within the last 2 years.
  • College courses determined to be equivalent to completion of Grade 11 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
  • Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT): Reading Comprehension 35/50 Spelling 23/32
  • Language Placement Index (LPI): The three individual scores (Sentence Structure, English Usage, and Reading Comprehension) must total a minimum of 20, out of a maximum possible score of 40. Essay level of 4, with a minimum essay score of 24/40

For English as a second language speakers:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Test must be within the last two years, IBT only—overall score of 76 with no score lower than 20 in speaking and listening and no score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Academic: test must be within the last two years: overall score of 6 with a minimum of 6 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 5.5 in Reading and Writing.
• Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT): test must be within the last six months: Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6. Note: A CLB Report Card from a LINC Program may also be accepted.
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Academic or General: Aggregate score of 4l or better, with 4l or better in Speaking and Listening and 3H or better in Reading and Writing.  General CELPIP 7 or better in Speaking and Listening and CELPIP 6 in Reading and Writing.
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): overall score of 60, with no section less than 50. Scores valid for one year.

Step 2: Required for practice education experiences. Students who fail to submit any Step 2 documentation will be prohibited from attending practice education experiences.

• FOODSAFE:  All students must present evidence of current FOODSAFE level 1 prior to entering classes. Please refer to Health Care registry Website for the acceptable courses.

• CPR Level C: Applicants must provide evidence of successful completion of CPR level C no more than 12 months before admission.

• First Aid: Applicants must provide evidence of successful completion of one of the following First Aid courses no more than 12 months before admission:

• Standard First-Aid
• Emergency First Aid – Community Care
• Emergency First Aid for Industry
• WorkSafe BC OFA Level 1 

• Criminal Record Check: check (including advanced vulnerable populations) under the Criminal Records Review Act and the Ministry of Justice process for educational institutions. Applicants should only initiate their criminal record check when instructed by Admissions. Please note: Any changes to your criminal record status or events occurring that will impact your criminal record must be reported in writing to the program Dean. Some events may impact your ability to attend clinical or practicum settings. The implications of failing to report changes, as a student, can result in program failure.
• Proof of Current Immunizations / Vaccinations/TB skin test: 
  Immunizations as outlined in the Practice Education Guidelines and recommended by the BC Centre for Disease Control (2009): diphtheria and tetanus, polio, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), varicella and influenza. Negative TB skin test or chest x-ray. (http://www.hspcanada.net/docs/PEG/1_3_Immunization.pdf)

*Students who do not meet the immunization requirements may be prohibited from attending practice education experiences.

Fees Vocational/Applied Programs

Fees	Domestic	International
Full Time:	29 Weeks	29 Weeks
Tuition:	$1,947.64	$8,968.83
Student Union Fees:1	$83.48	$83.48
Mandatory Fees:	$604.36	$649.85
Health Insurance:	N/A	$287.15
Total Tuition:	$2,635.48	$9,989.31
Additional Costs:
Books:2	$450.00	$450.00
Supplies/Clothing:2	$300.00	$300.00
Fieldwork/Practicum:3	$200.00	$200.00
*Total Program Cost:	$3,585.48	$10,939.31

Career opportunities